I'm thinking about buying a used laptop, it doesn't have to be that fast, but I prefer it to have a nice hi-res display, and to be pretty. I want a laptop that isn't too expensive, runs fast but doesn't necessarily have to have a fast processor. I'm thinking about buying a PowerBook G4 (one of the newer ones) for around $200, and installing linux on it. All I want is to be able to watch videos, listen to music, write, and use the internet. I think it would be convenient to have my own laptop, so I want one eventually. How are PowerBook G4s? Does anyone here have any experience with them, are they fast and do they run well?

PowerBooks are okay. If you really want to get a cheap computer that serves your needs, though, I'd suggest a used Sony laptop. You can probably find something there that'll last you freaking FOREVER, especially if you're using Linux.

Don't get a PPC mac, ever. Apple doesn't support Mac OS, and Linux is hit and miss. Get a cheap PC laptop instead, like an older latitude.

No. Just no. Don't buy used Dells. They fall apart, catch fire, shock people....they're Skynet's way of testing our endurance.

As to avoid a flame war over what is best, a G4 will make a good Linux machine, or if you find a 1 GHz+ one Mac OS 10.5 runs great.

The older Latitude's are also nice, if you get a D series make sure you get Intel graphics to avoid the failure of the nVidia (if it even still works).

I also can say the old Thinkpads are also nice.

Here's a Latitude D630 Intel version. I had a D820 (same thing basically except 667 FSB processor, 15.4" screen and GMA950) and it ran Linux (Ubuntu\Xubuntu\Debian) great.

PowerPC Macs are good for what you want out of them. Just if its an iBook, make sure its a G4 at least 1 Ghz with more than 512 MB RAM, or buy some ram sticks with it.

I had, and other members of my family have had latitudes due to my father's job, and I must say, I'm not too impressed with them. Also, it seems linux supports PowerBooks well. Maybe Slackintosh would be a good distro, I dunno.

PowerPC is fun to play with. That's why I have both intel and PowerPC. Merp.

A relatively modern PPC Mac will be fine for what you want to do. You could probably even get away with keeping Mac OS Leopard on there with a browser such as TenFourFox.

PPC Macs still do justice in all areas if you use the age-appropriate software. Don't expect much from Flash though (it's even more of a joke on PPC!).